Ireland on Sunday owner Associated Newspapers yesterday claimed the weekly paper was the third-biggest in the Irish market.

The company said in a trading statement that it would seek advertising revenues in line with its circulation, which it says has reached 170,000 since a relaunch in May.

The paper's chief executive, Mr John Thompson, said only the Independent News & Media titles, the Sunday Independent and Sunday World, sold more copies.

He declined to reveal the extent of the Associated Newspapers investment in the product and its marketing campaign, or its current losses or when it might turn a profit. "It's not a short game. It's not a mid-game. It's a long game. We're very pleased with our progress."